Clemson Baseball Clashes With Coastal Carolina

Feb. 29, 2000

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson brings a six-game winning streak and a 8-1 overall record into its game with Coastal Carolina (10-2 prior to Tuesday’s game against East Carolina) Wednesday at 3:00 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Chanticleers are 2-0 on opponents’ home fields this year.

Sophomore righthander Steve Reba (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will start on the mound for the Tigers. Reba has allowed one hit, no runs, and one walk while striking out six in 5.0 innings in two relief appearances in 2000. The Chanticleers will start junior righthander Rett Johnson (1-1, 3.18 ERA) on the mound. Johnson has allowed just 18 hits and 11 walks while striking out 37 in 28.1 innings pitched this season. The Chanticleers sport a 2.56 team ERA, .183 opponent batting average, 74 hits allowed, and 128 strikeouts in 116.0 innings pitched.

Coastal Carolina, who is hitting .253 as a team, is led at the plate by junior outfielder Brooks Marzka. He is hitting .372 with a team-high four homers, 19 RBIs, and five stolen bases. Marzka has hit four of the team’s five homers in 2000. Outfielder Mario Gianfortune is hitting .326 with eight stolen bases. (Note: Coastal Carolina stats and record do not include Tuesday’s game against East Carolina)

Clemson leads the all-time series 25-3, but Coastal Carolina defeated the Tigers the last time the two teams met. Coastal Carolina scored four runs in the ninth inning to down Clemson 4-2 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on May 8. Tiger starter Mike Proto pitched masterfully, but did not factor in the decision. The sophomore pitched a career-high 8.0 innings, allowing just five hits and one run while striking out eight. But he gave up a leadoff single in the ninth inning and Matt Additon gave up three runs to take the loss. The Chanticleers used five singles and a walk to do the damage in the final frame. Scott Sturkie, like Proto, pitched well, as he allowed just one earned run in 7.2 innings pitched while striking out nine. Brad Schuka (4-0) retired all four batters he faced (three by strikeout) to earn the win.